If someone would appoint me the "Master of the Social Security Universe," or give me some other appropriate title that would allow me to change any law or regulation on Social Security's books, I would immediately get rid of the earnings penalty provisions of the law. These are the rules that limit the amount of money a Social Security recipient under the age of 66 can earn if he or she is working while collecting benefits.

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. developers broke ground on homes at a faster pace in July. But the rise was all due to apartment construction, which is typically volatile. By contrast, builders began work on fewer single-family homes - the bulk of the market - and sought fewer permits to build them.

NEW YORK (AP) - Facebook plans to test a mobile payments service that lets users make purchases inside mobile applications using payment information they have added to their account on the social network.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration, under pressure from black college presidents and lawmakers, has made changes to the PLUS loan program that may help thousands of families qualify for the college financial aid.

NEW YORK (AP) - Lawyers for American Airlines pressed a judge Thursday to approve the company's plan to merge with US Airways and exit bankruptcy protection, but the judge delayed a ruling because of the federal government's lawsuit against the merger.